Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
been belief in all the good things he said of himself. `
` `
` With respect to Aramis, though having the air of having nothing `
` secret about him, he was a young fellow made up of mysteries, `
` answering little to questions put to him about others, and having `
` learned from him the report which prevailed concerning the `
` success of the Musketeer with a princess, wished to gain a little `
` insight into the amorous adventures of his interlocutor. "And `
` you, my dear companion," said he, "you speak of the baronesses, `
` countesses, and princesses of others?" `
` `
` "PARDIEU! I spoke of them because Porthos talked of them `
` himself, because he had paraded all these fine things before me. `
` But be assured, my dear Monsieur d'Artagnan, that if I had `
` obtained them from any other source, or if they had been confided `
` to me, there exists no confessor more discreet than myself." `
` `
` "Oh, I don't doubt that," replied d'Artagnan; "but it seems to me `
` that you are tolerably familiar with coats of arms--a certain `
` embroidered handkerchief, for instance, to which I owe the honor `
` of your acquaintance?" `
` `
` This time Aramis was not angry, but assumed the most modest air `
` and replied in a friendly tone, "My dear friend, do not forget `
` that I wish to belong to the Church, and that I avoid all mundane `
` opportunities. The handkerchief you saw had not been given to `
` me, but it had been forgotten and left at my house by one of my `
` friends. I was obliged to pick it up in order not to compromise `
` him and the lady he loves. As for myself, I neither have, nor `
` desire to have, a mistress, following in that respect the very `
` judicious example of Athos, who has none any more than I have." `
` `
` "But what the devil! You are not a priest, you are a Musketeer!" `
` `
` "A Musketeer for a time, my friend, as the cardinal says, a `
` Musketeer against my will, but a churchman at heart, believe me. `
` Athos and Porthos dragged me into this to occupy me. I had, at `
` the moment of being ordained, a little difficulty with--But that `
` would not interest you, and I am taking up your valuable time." `
` `
` "Not at all; it interests me very much," cried d'Artagnan; "and `
` at this moment I have absolutely nothing to do." `
` `
` "Yes, but I have my breviary to repeat," answered Aramis; "then `
` some verses to compose, which Madame d'Aiguillon begged of me. `
` Then I must go to the Rue St. Honore in order to purchase some `
` rouge for Madame de Chevreuse. So you see, my dear friend, that `
` if you are not in a hurry, I am very much in a hurry." `
` `
` Aramis held out his hand in a cordial manner to his young `
` companion, and took leave of him. `
` `
` Notwithstanding all the pains he took, d'Artagnan was unable to `
` learn any more concerning his three new-made friends. He formed, `
` therefore, the resolution of believing for the present all that `
` was said of their past, hoping for more certain and extended `
` revelations in the future. In the meanwhile, he looked upon `
` Athos as an Achilles, Porthos as an Ajax, and Aramis as a Joseph. `
` `
` As to the rest, the life of the four young friends was joyous `
` enough. Athos played, and that as a rule unfortunately. `
` Nevertheless, he never borrowed a sou of his companions, although `
` his purse was ever at their service; and when he had played upon `
` honor, he always awakened his creditor by six o'clock the next `
` morning to pay the debt of the preceding evening. `
` `
` Porthos had his fits. On the days when he won he was insolent `
` and ostentatious; if he lost, he disappeared completely for `
` several days, after which he reappeared with a pale face and `
` thinner person, but with money in his purse. `
` `
` As to Aramis, he never played. He was the worst Musketeer and `
` the most unconvivial companion imaginable. He had always `
` something or other to do. Sometimes in the midst of dinner, when `
` everyone, under the attraction of wine and in the warmth of `
` conversation, believed they had two or three hours longer to `
` enjoy themselves at table, Aramis looked at his watch, arose with `
` a bland smile, and took leave of the company, to go, as he said, `
` to consult a casuist with whom he had an appointment. At other `
` times he would return home to write a treatise, and requested his `
` friends not to disturb him. `
` `
` At this Athos would smile, with his charming, melancholy smile, `
` which so became his noble countenance, and Porthos would drink, `
` swearing that Aramis would never be anything but a village CURE. `
` `
` Planchet, d'Artagnan's valet, supported his good fortune nobly. `
` He received thirty sous per day, and for a month he returned to `
` his lodgings gay as a chaffinch, and affable toward his master. `
` When the wind of adversity began to blow upon the housekeeping of `
` the Rue des Fossoyeurs--that is to say, when the forty pistoles `
` of King Louis XIII were consumed or nearly so--he commenced `
` complaints which Athos thought nauseous, Porthos indecent, and `
` Aramis ridiculous. Athos counseled d'Artagnan to dismiss the `
` fellow; Porthos was of opinion that he should give him a good `
` thrashing first; and Aramis contended that a master should never `
` attend to anything but the civilities paid to him. `
` `
` "This is all very easy for you to say," replied d'Artagnan, "for `
` you, Athos, who live like a dumb man with Grimaud, who forbid him `
` to speak, and consequently never exchange ill words with him; for `
` you, Porthos, who carry matters in such a magnificent style, and `
` are a god to your valet, Mousqueton; and for you, Aramis, who, `
` always abstracted by your theological studies, inspire your `
` servant, Bazin, a mild, religious man, with a profound respect; `
` but for me, who am without any settled means and without `
` resources--for me, who am neither a Musketeer nor even a `
` Guardsman, what I am to do to inspire either the affection, the `
` terror, or the respect in Planchet?" `
` `
` "This is serious," answered the three friends; "it is a family `
` affair. It is with valets as with wives, they must be placed at `
` once upon the footing in which you wish them to remain. Reflect `
` upon it." `
` `
` D'Artagnan did reflect, and resolved to thrash Planchet `
` provisionally; which he did with the conscientiousness that `
` d'Artagnan carried into everything. After having well beaten `
` him, he forbade him to leave his service without his permission. `
` "For," added he, "the future cannot fail to mend; I inevitably `
` look for better times. Your fortune is therefore made if you `
` remain with me, and I am too good a master to allow you to miss `
` such a chance by granting you the dismissal you require." `
` `
` This manner of acting roused much respect for d'Artagnan's policy `
` among the Musketeers. Planchet was equally seized with `
` admiration, and said no more about going away. `
` `
` The life of the four young men had become fraternal. D'Artagnan, `
` who had no settled habits of his own, as he came from his `
` province into the midst of his world quite new to him, fell `
` easily into the habits of his friends. `
` `
` They rose about eight o'clock in the winter, about six in summer, `
` and went to take the countersign and see how things went on at M. `
` de Treville's. D'Artagnan, although he was not a Musketeer, `
` performed the duty of one with remarkable punctuality. He went `
` on guard because he always kept company with whoever of his `
` friends was on duty. He was well known at the Hotel of the `
` Musketeers, where everyone considered him a good comrade. M. de `
` Treville, who had appreciated him at the first glance and who `
` bore him a real affection, never ceased recommending him to the `
` king. `
` `
` On their side, the three Musketeers were much attached to their `
` young comrade. The friendship which united these four men, and `
` the need they felt of seeing another three or four times a day, `
` whether for dueling, business, or pleasure, caused them to be `
` continually running after one another like shadows; and the `
` Inseparables were constantly to be met with seeking one another, `
` from the Luxembourg to the Place St. Sulpice, or from the Rue du `
` Vieux-Colombier to the Luxembourg. `
` `
` In the meanwhile the promises of M. de Treville went on `
` prosperously. One fine morning the king commanded M. de `
` Chevalier Dessessart to admit d'Artagnan as a cadet in his `
` company of Guards. D'Artagnan, with a sigh, donned his uniform, `
` which he would have exchanged for that of a Musketeer at the `
` expense of ten years of his existence. But M. de Treville `
` promised this favor after a novitiate of two years--a novitiate `
` which might besides be abridged if an opportunity should present `
` itself for d'Artagnan to render the king any signal service, or `
` to distinguish himself by some brilliant action. Upon this `
` promise d'Artagnan withdrew, and the next day he began service. `
` `
` Then it became the turn of Athos, Porthos, and Aramis to mount `
` guard with d'Artagnan when he was on duty. The company of M. le `
` Chevalier Dessessart thus received four instead of one when it `
` admitted d'Artagnan. `
` `
` `
` `
` 8 CONCERNING A COURT INTRIGUE `
` `
` In the meantime, the forty pistoles of King Louis XIII, like all `
` other things of this world, after having had a beginning had an `
` end, and after this end our four companions began to be somewhat `
` embarrassed. At first, Athos supported the association for a `
` time with his own means. `
` `
` Porthos succeeded him; and thanks to one of those disappearances `
` to which he was accustomed, he was able to provide for the wants `
` of all for a fortnight. At last it became Aramis's turn, who `
` performed it with a good grace and who succeeded--as he said, by `
` selling some theological books--in procuring a few pistoles. `
` `
` Then, as they had been accustomed to do, they had recourse to M. `
` de Treville, who made some advances on their pay; but these `
` advances could not go far with three Musketeers who were already `
` much in arrears and a Guardsman who as yet had no pay at all. `
` `
` At length when they found they were likely to be really in want, `
` they got together, as a last effort, eight or ten pistoles, with `
` which Porthos went to the gaming table. Unfortunately he was in `
` a bad vein; he lost all, together with twenty-five pistoles for `
` which he had given his word. `
` `
` Then the inconvenience became distress. The hungry friends, `
` followed by their lackeys, were seen haunting the quays and Guard `
` rooms, picking up among their friends abroad all the dinners they `
` could meet with; for according to the advice of Aramis, it was `
`
` `
` With respect to Aramis, though having the air of having nothing `
` secret about him, he was a young fellow made up of mysteries, `
` answering little to questions put to him about others, and having `
` learned from him the report which prevailed concerning the `
` success of the Musketeer with a princess, wished to gain a little `
` insight into the amorous adventures of his interlocutor. "And `
` you, my dear companion," said he, "you speak of the baronesses, `
` countesses, and princesses of others?" `
` `
` "PARDIEU! I spoke of them because Porthos talked of them `
` himself, because he had paraded all these fine things before me. `
` But be assured, my dear Monsieur d'Artagnan, that if I had `
` obtained them from any other source, or if they had been confided `
` to me, there exists no confessor more discreet than myself." `
` `
` "Oh, I don't doubt that," replied d'Artagnan; "but it seems to me `
` that you are tolerably familiar with coats of arms--a certain `
` embroidered handkerchief, for instance, to which I owe the honor `
` of your acquaintance?" `
` `
` This time Aramis was not angry, but assumed the most modest air `
` and replied in a friendly tone, "My dear friend, do not forget `
` that I wish to belong to the Church, and that I avoid all mundane `
` opportunities. The handkerchief you saw had not been given to `
` me, but it had been forgotten and left at my house by one of my `
` friends. I was obliged to pick it up in order not to compromise `
` him and the lady he loves. As for myself, I neither have, nor `
` desire to have, a mistress, following in that respect the very `
` judicious example of Athos, who has none any more than I have." `
` `
` "But what the devil! You are not a priest, you are a Musketeer!" `
` `
` "A Musketeer for a time, my friend, as the cardinal says, a `
` Musketeer against my will, but a churchman at heart, believe me. `
` Athos and Porthos dragged me into this to occupy me. I had, at `
` the moment of being ordained, a little difficulty with--But that `
` would not interest you, and I am taking up your valuable time." `
` `
` "Not at all; it interests me very much," cried d'Artagnan; "and `
` at this moment I have absolutely nothing to do." `
` `
` "Yes, but I have my breviary to repeat," answered Aramis; "then `
` some verses to compose, which Madame d'Aiguillon begged of me. `
` Then I must go to the Rue St. Honore in order to purchase some `
` rouge for Madame de Chevreuse. So you see, my dear friend, that `
` if you are not in a hurry, I am very much in a hurry." `
` `
` Aramis held out his hand in a cordial manner to his young `
` companion, and took leave of him. `
` `
` Notwithstanding all the pains he took, d'Artagnan was unable to `
` learn any more concerning his three new-made friends. He formed, `
` therefore, the resolution of believing for the present all that `
` was said of their past, hoping for more certain and extended `
` revelations in the future. In the meanwhile, he looked upon `
` Athos as an Achilles, Porthos as an Ajax, and Aramis as a Joseph. `
` `
` As to the rest, the life of the four young friends was joyous `
` enough. Athos played, and that as a rule unfortunately. `
` Nevertheless, he never borrowed a sou of his companions, although `
` his purse was ever at their service; and when he had played upon `
` honor, he always awakened his creditor by six o'clock the next `
` morning to pay the debt of the preceding evening. `
` `
` Porthos had his fits. On the days when he won he was insolent `
` and ostentatious; if he lost, he disappeared completely for `
` several days, after which he reappeared with a pale face and `
` thinner person, but with money in his purse. `
` `
` As to Aramis, he never played. He was the worst Musketeer and `
` the most unconvivial companion imaginable. He had always `
` something or other to do. Sometimes in the midst of dinner, when `
` everyone, under the attraction of wine and in the warmth of `
` conversation, believed they had two or three hours longer to `
` enjoy themselves at table, Aramis looked at his watch, arose with `
` a bland smile, and took leave of the company, to go, as he said, `
` to consult a casuist with whom he had an appointment. At other `
` times he would return home to write a treatise, and requested his `
` friends not to disturb him. `
` `
` At this Athos would smile, with his charming, melancholy smile, `
` which so became his noble countenance, and Porthos would drink, `
` swearing that Aramis would never be anything but a village CURE. `
` `
` Planchet, d'Artagnan's valet, supported his good fortune nobly. `
` He received thirty sous per day, and for a month he returned to `
` his lodgings gay as a chaffinch, and affable toward his master. `
` When the wind of adversity began to blow upon the housekeeping of `
` the Rue des Fossoyeurs--that is to say, when the forty pistoles `
` of King Louis XIII were consumed or nearly so--he commenced `
` complaints which Athos thought nauseous, Porthos indecent, and `
` Aramis ridiculous. Athos counseled d'Artagnan to dismiss the `
` fellow; Porthos was of opinion that he should give him a good `
` thrashing first; and Aramis contended that a master should never `
` attend to anything but the civilities paid to him. `
` `
` "This is all very easy for you to say," replied d'Artagnan, "for `
` you, Athos, who live like a dumb man with Grimaud, who forbid him `
` to speak, and consequently never exchange ill words with him; for `
` you, Porthos, who carry matters in such a magnificent style, and `
` are a god to your valet, Mousqueton; and for you, Aramis, who, `
` always abstracted by your theological studies, inspire your `
` servant, Bazin, a mild, religious man, with a profound respect; `
` but for me, who am without any settled means and without `
` resources--for me, who am neither a Musketeer nor even a `
` Guardsman, what I am to do to inspire either the affection, the `
` terror, or the respect in Planchet?" `
` `
` "This is serious," answered the three friends; "it is a family `
` affair. It is with valets as with wives, they must be placed at `
` once upon the footing in which you wish them to remain. Reflect `
` upon it." `
` `
` D'Artagnan did reflect, and resolved to thrash Planchet `
` provisionally; which he did with the conscientiousness that `
` d'Artagnan carried into everything. After having well beaten `
` him, he forbade him to leave his service without his permission. `
` "For," added he, "the future cannot fail to mend; I inevitably `
` look for better times. Your fortune is therefore made if you `
` remain with me, and I am too good a master to allow you to miss `
` such a chance by granting you the dismissal you require." `
` `
` This manner of acting roused much respect for d'Artagnan's policy `
` among the Musketeers. Planchet was equally seized with `
` admiration, and said no more about going away. `
` `
` The life of the four young men had become fraternal. D'Artagnan, `
` who had no settled habits of his own, as he came from his `
` province into the midst of his world quite new to him, fell `
` easily into the habits of his friends. `
` `
` They rose about eight o'clock in the winter, about six in summer, `
` and went to take the countersign and see how things went on at M. `
` de Treville's. D'Artagnan, although he was not a Musketeer, `
` performed the duty of one with remarkable punctuality. He went `
` on guard because he always kept company with whoever of his `
` friends was on duty. He was well known at the Hotel of the `
` Musketeers, where everyone considered him a good comrade. M. de `
` Treville, who had appreciated him at the first glance and who `
` bore him a real affection, never ceased recommending him to the `
` king. `
` `
` On their side, the three Musketeers were much attached to their `
` young comrade. The friendship which united these four men, and `
` the need they felt of seeing another three or four times a day, `
` whether for dueling, business, or pleasure, caused them to be `
` continually running after one another like shadows; and the `
` Inseparables were constantly to be met with seeking one another, `
` from the Luxembourg to the Place St. Sulpice, or from the Rue du `
` Vieux-Colombier to the Luxembourg. `
` `
` In the meanwhile the promises of M. de Treville went on `
` prosperously. One fine morning the king commanded M. de `
` Chevalier Dessessart to admit d'Artagnan as a cadet in his `
` company of Guards. D'Artagnan, with a sigh, donned his uniform, `
` which he would have exchanged for that of a Musketeer at the `
` expense of ten years of his existence. But M. de Treville `
` promised this favor after a novitiate of two years--a novitiate `
` which might besides be abridged if an opportunity should present `
` itself for d'Artagnan to render the king any signal service, or `
` to distinguish himself by some brilliant action. Upon this `
` promise d'Artagnan withdrew, and the next day he began service. `
` `
` Then it became the turn of Athos, Porthos, and Aramis to mount `
` guard with d'Artagnan when he was on duty. The company of M. le `
` Chevalier Dessessart thus received four instead of one when it `
` admitted d'Artagnan. `
` `
` `
` `
` 8 CONCERNING A COURT INTRIGUE `
` `
` In the meantime, the forty pistoles of King Louis XIII, like all `
` other things of this world, after having had a beginning had an `
` end, and after this end our four companions began to be somewhat `
` embarrassed. At first, Athos supported the association for a `
` time with his own means. `
` `
` Porthos succeeded him; and thanks to one of those disappearances `
` to which he was accustomed, he was able to provide for the wants `
` of all for a fortnight. At last it became Aramis's turn, who `
` performed it with a good grace and who succeeded--as he said, by `
` selling some theological books--in procuring a few pistoles. `
` `
` Then, as they had been accustomed to do, they had recourse to M. `
` de Treville, who made some advances on their pay; but these `
` advances could not go far with three Musketeers who were already `
` much in arrears and a Guardsman who as yet had no pay at all. `
` `
` At length when they found they were likely to be really in want, `
` they got together, as a last effort, eight or ten pistoles, with `
` which Porthos went to the gaming table. Unfortunately he was in `
` a bad vein; he lost all, together with twenty-five pistoles for `
` which he had given his word. `
` `
` Then the inconvenience became distress. The hungry friends, `
` followed by their lackeys, were seen haunting the quays and Guard `
` rooms, picking up among their friends abroad all the dinners they `
` could meet with; for according to the advice of Aramis, it was `
`